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How do children describe pain? A tentative assessment
Marilyn Savedra1, Patricia Gibbons, Mary Tesler
1School of Nursing N411 K, University of California, San Francisco, Calif. 94143 U.S.A.
Pain
|October 1, 1982
Summary
Children clearly describe pain, with hospitalized children expressing it differently than their non-hospitalized peers. Age and gender showed no significant differences in pain descriptions among 9-12 year olds.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Pain Perception
- Child Psychology
Background:
- Understanding how children articulate pain is crucial for effective healthcare.
- Previous research indicates potential variations in pain expression based on environmental factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how children aged 9-12 describe their pain experiences.
- To identify differences in pain descriptions between hospitalized and non-hospitalized children.
- To explore correlations by age, gender, and hospitalization status.
Main Methods:
- A convenience sample of 214 children (100 hospitalized, 114 non-hospitalized) aged 9-12 years.
- Children were queried using specific questions designed to elicit pain descriptions.
- Data were analyzed for correlations based on age, gender, and hospitalization status.
Main Results:
- Children effectively articulate their pain experiences.
- No significant differences in pain description were found across different age groups.
- Hospitalized children reported pain differently compared to non-hospitalized children.
Conclusions:
- Children's ability to describe pain is clear and consistent across age groups.
- Hospitalization status is a significant factor influencing how children communicate their pain.
- Findings can inform healthcare professionals in developing better pain assessment strategies for children.